by jessica Carrera ’13

I never understood photo albums or scrapbooks when I was younger. It didn’t make sense to me that people needed dozens of books full of pictures to remember events in their lives. I figured that if an event or time was that important, you would just remember it. Ten years later I now find myself engrossed in every family photo album I come across. Flipping through my mom’s old photo albums and laughing at my dad’s high school yearbooks brings about a sense of nostalgia and the realization that I don’t know my parents at all, or at least who they were.

It was weird for me to think about the fact that I don’t know their past selves and they probably even forgot some things about themselves along the way. I can’t imagine being anyone other than who I am, but that will eventually change. The things that have molded me into who I am will change and new experiences will shape my future self; but remembering what, and more importantly who, made me who I am now is the important thing.

It’s my mom and dad who taught me the value of education and putting one hundred percent of my effort into everything I do. It’s my little sister Emily who reminds me to laugh at myself because nothing in the daily grind is that serious.

It’s all of my close friends who have been there since the beginning, who have grown up with me, and who have truly become a part of my family. Janet (Strawberries 1395), who taught me to have faith in people and see their good sides; Amanda (MandyP), who taught me that hard work pays off and does not go unnoticed; Megan (Meg), who taught me to be resilient even when things aren’t looking up; Evan (Ev) , who taught me to never sacrifice who you are for the benefit of other people; Briana (Bri), who taught me that it’s important to stand up for yourself and your beliefs.

Lastly and most significantly, is Steffi. We often joke around with each other and say that we are the same person because we understand each other so well, sometimes too well. She has been there through every high point and battled through the low points right alongside me and reminds me that carefree doesn’t always mean irresponsible and even if it does at times it’s okay. She keeps me sane and then drives me insane but always finds a way to mend hurt feelings. Steffi, thank you for making me the person I am, I’ll miss you the most.

I can guarantee that I will have pictures and stories of all of these people for years and years because they are memories of the greatest journey and building blocks for all of the future ones.